New in 2014:
The Western Conference now includes two new teams, totaling seven. A straight-addition to the league is the Arizona based, Sedona FC Strikers. In addition, there is a rebranded team Colorado and a team merger in California. The Colorado Rapids Women have joined with a prominent Colorado club to form the new Colorado Storm. The merger in California was between the LA Strikers and Pali Blues, who have joined and are now the LA Blues.

There’s no place like home:
The Sounders Women will host six league matches in 2014, at the home of the Sounders; Starfire Sports Stadium. The preseason, however, will be a chance for the Sounders Women to connect with the rest of the Puget Sound at various neighborhoods and stadiums. The Sounders Women will be partnering with local clubs for local clinics and coming to their neck of the woods for the five preseason games against Seattle Pacific, Washington, Washington State, Western Washington, and the Vancouver Whitecaps.

The competition:
The Western Conference is renowned as the toughest conference in the four-conference W-League across North America. Last season, the West produced the W-League Champions, Pali Blues. This year with Pali and LA Strikers uniting, the LA Blues are sure to be the stiffest completion. Don’t sleep on the Colorado Rush who was talented, but young last year. They’re sure to bounce back for a strong season. The Bay Area Breeze, a professional side within the W-League parameters has a season of W-League experience under their belt and should be even better this year. How the Colorado Pride, Colorado Storm, and Sedona FC Strikers fair is a wild card this year.

What’s at stake?
Once the dust has settled in mid-July and all teams have carried out their 12 league matches, the top two points-earning sides will have an opportunity to compete for the W-League Western Conference title, and then possibly on to the W-League National Final Four. The first place finisher in the Western Conference will host the second place finisher for the crown as Western Conference Champs, and a spot in the National Final Four.

Season Tickets for the 2014 Sounders Women season are on sale HERE for as low as $100. The Season Ticket Flex Pack includes twelve tickets, for the eleven home matches this season. The 2014 Season Ticket Flex Pack eliminates the risk of missing games. Instead of one ticket specifically associated with each match, with the Sounders Women Flex Pack, fans will receive twelve tickets, and each of those tickets will be accepted at any match during the 2014 season. Have to miss a game? No problem, just use that ticket for a friend at the next one. Flex tickets may also be combined for multiple admissions to the same match -- for example you can bring multiple friends to one game, or any other combination of friends to multiple games. It's the ultimate in flexibility.

TAMPA, Fla. – The W-League released its schedule and alignment for its 20th Anniversary season today, with all the action for North America’s first and longest-standing women’s league getting underway on Saturday, May 10.

The league welcomes four new teams in 2014 – the Braddock Road Stars Elite, the Colorado Pride, the Gulf Coast Texans and the Sedona FC Strikers. The Colorado Storm have also joined to continue the 18-year history of the franchise that previously competed as the Colorado Force and Colorado Rapids Women. The 2013 W-League champion Pali Blues merged with the Western Conference’s other playoff participant – the LA Strikers – to form the LA Blues.

“I am truly elated for the W-League to be celebrating the completion of its second full decade of operation,” W-League Senior Director Amanda Duffy said. “The 2014 season will feature a tremendous level of competition and once again highlight strengthened rivalries that capture the excitement of the teams and league.

“With the quality of players and coaches who will compete for the 2014 W-League Championship, I fully expect the W-League will solidify its position as the top women’s pro-am development league in North America, in support of NWSL.”

The W-League is once again divided into four geographic conferences – Central, Northeastern, Southeastern and Western. The Western Conference features eight teams, while the Central and Northeastern have six and the Southeastern has five.

The season opens on Saturday, May 10 as the New York Magic travel to renew their rivalry with the Long Island Rough Riders. Week 2 sees the debut of the Sedona FC Strikers as they welcome the LA Blues on Friday, May 16, while the Braddock Road Stars Elite also make their debut when they travel to face the Washington Spirit Reserves on Saturday, May 17.

The Colorado Pride kick off their inaugural campaign when they welcome the Colorado Storm on Thursday, May 22, and the Gulf Coast Texans get underway when they travel to face longtime league power the Atlanta Silverbacks on Saturday, May 24. On the same day the 2013 W-League finalist Laval Comets open their season at the London Gryphons, while the Quebec Dynamo ARSQ (formerly Quebec City Amiral) visit the 2012 Champion Ottawa Fury.

The final weekend of the regular season is set for July 11-13, with 21 of the 25 teams in action as the race for postseason spots winds down. Full playoff information will be announced at a later date.

YouTube Live will serve as the official video platform for the W-League in 2014. Live games from throughout the league as well as team highlights and weekly league videos will provide fans a front-row seat during the season. Select games will be available live for fans to view for free on the largest global video sharing site. Some of the features YouTube Live will present to fans during live games include DVR, chat, full HD support, and social media interactivity. Fans are encouraged to subscribe for free to the team-specific YouTube channels. Please visit USLsoccer.com for links to team accounts.

The W-League is recognized throughout the world for providing superior competition for female players, while offering affordable family entertainment for fans across North America. The caliber of W-League talent continues to grow, with 36 of the 43 players who competed in the U.S. vs. Canada Women’s National team match this past weekend boasting W-League experience.